Israel Air Force opts for drones over attack helicopters

The Israel Air & Space Force has withdrawn the last AH-1S Cobra from active service late in 2013. The mission of the helicopter gunships have been assumed by locally built drones. The Cobra seen in this photo was modified to carry the Tamuz (SPIKE NLOS) attack missile, capable of striking mobile targets at a range of 25 km with pin-point accuracy. Photo: RAFAEL

Israel has phased out the AH-1S Cobra helicopter gunship, in favour of using more drones, the Reuters news agency reports. The increasing reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) has evolved through the years, as the unmanned aircraft assumed increasingly complex missions, and proved themselves as an indispensable asset in the continuous war against terror along and beyond Israel’s borders.

[ismember]The Israel has been using the Bell AH-1S since the early 1970s, the first gunships were provided by the U.S. after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Operated by two attack squadrons – 160 and 161, both operated from the Palmahim Air Force Base, a fleet of about 33 Cobras were maintained in service for over 40 years. Through their life cycle these helicopters were routinely improved and upgraded, one of the most prominent upgrades was the replacement of the helicopter’s weapon system, installing the Spike NLOS (Tamuz) EO guided missile, with a range of 25km, instead of the 3.5 km TOW missiles and automatic gun. Squadron 161 was disbanded in 2005, and Squadron 160 followed in August 2013. Decommissioning of the Cobra was decided after a fatal accident caused by a crack in the tail rotor, in which both crew members were killed. Another crash in 2008 which have also killed the crew was caused by technical issues.[/ismember]

Despite the improvements and extensive support, the Cobras have encountered significant ageing challenges, some causing fatal accidents. One squadron has been disbanded few years ago, the second was closed late in 2013. But, according to Reuters, The Cobras were axed as part of budget cuts. “They were sort of stuck in the middle in terms of the role they could fulfil, so we decided to do without them,” a senior military officer told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The air force aims to carry out strikes “within minutes” of receiving a request from ground troops – a timing that he said would likely be met by drones and helicopters rather than jets

Israel has retained two squadrons of Apache helicopters, operating AH-64A and D models. Squadron 161, formerly the second Cobra squadron, was commissioned in 2012 at the Palmahim base, as a Hermes 450 (Zik) UAV squadron. Squadron 160 decommissioned in August 2013 is likely to follow.

According to Reuters, operations have been shifted toward drones rather than manned aircraft and helicopters. According to the agency’s correspondent Dan Williams, the mission of the Cobras are now performed by unmanned aircraft, currently operating under several squadrons. Israel is known to be operating the Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 and newer Hermes 900, as well as the IAI Heron TP dubbed Eitan. [nonmember]Officially these drones are operated on intelligence gathering and targeting missions only, but, according to foreign sources, they are also carrying guided weapons.[/nonmember]

All UAVs operated by the IAF are locally made the country’s defense industries. These drones are increasingly used to patrol combat zones such as the Gaza Strip and South Lebanon.

[ismember]Unlike helicopters they can circle over the area for long hours, or even penetrate across the border, beaming back video to mark ground targets or to guide troops. Drones are also less vulnerable to enemy fire and air defense missiles, and, in case an aircraft is hit or falls behind enemy lines, with minimal consequences as there is no pilot on board.

The Israelis neither confirm nor deny the assessments of many independent experts who assert that some of Israel’s drones are also equipped to fire precision-guided missiles. According to Reuters, troops fighting Palestinian guerrillas in Gaza now routinely call in drones, rather than helicopters, for support. The air force aims to carry out strikes “within minutes” of receiving a request from ground troops – a timing that he said would likely be met by drones and helicopters rather than jets.[/ismember]

The Israel Air & Space Force has withdrawn the last AH-1S Cobra from active service late in 2013. The mission of the helicopter gunships have been assumed by locally built drones. The Cobra seen in this photo was modified to carry the Tamuz (SPIKE NLOS) attack missile, capable of striking mobile targets at a range of 25 km with pin-point accuracy. Photo: RAFAEL